Extension-table.



No. l659,624. Patenfed Oct. 9, 1900.

G. A. MYERS.

EXTENSION TABLE.

l f (Application led May 7, 1900.) *n (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

m @ya f f I f iUNrTnn STATES PATENT rrioi.

GEORGE A. MYERS, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,624, dated October 9, 1900.-

Application filed May 7I 1900. Serial No. 15,757. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, GEORGE A. MYERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Extension-Table, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in.

tables, and refers more specifically to extension-tables of that class particularly designed or adapted for use for domestic purposes, but also capable of otherservice. A

The principal object of the invention is to provide a table which shall be complete in itself, Whether closed to its smallest size, eX- tended to its greatest length, or arranged in any intermediate position, as distinguished from those tables heretofore commonly used, which required the. addition of auxiliary leaves or lling-pieces when it was desired to extend or enlarge the table, the invention thus overcoming the necessity of keeping auX- iliary parts of the table in storage or the application of loose pieces, and at the same time the end sought is to provide a table which is more convenient in its adjustment, neat and finished in appearance, and of simple, effective, and strong and durable construction.

The invention consists in the constructionv and arrangement in full of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extension-table embodying the features of the invention and shown par tially opened. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the improved table'shown extended. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same with the leg portions broken away.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates opposite rigid end frames which include stationary top sections 2, half side rails 3, end rails 4, connecting the said side rails, and corner-plates 5, to which legs 6 are fixed and extend inwardly at an angle and each pair secured to a horizontal supporting-brace 7. The supportingbraces 7 each have a central recess 8 at the inner edge thereof. From the under portions of the rigid end frames extension-frames 10 and 11 project inwardly and are stationary,

broth extension-frames bein g of substantiallyrectangular form and the frame 10 Vcomposed of side strips l2 and 13, which are unconnected at their inner ends, and the strip 13 is constructed with ratchet-teeth 14 for a purpose which will be presently explained. Theframe 11 includes strips 15 at the sides, which are connected by an inner cross-strip 16, the one strip 15 also having ratchet-teeth 17 formed in the lower edge thereof. Be-

tween the side strips of the frames lO and 11 are located the side strips 18 of a loose sliding-strip 20 for oneend of each of the said strips 18. The lower edges of the strips 18 are longitudinally grooved, as at 21, and the said grooves are engaged by the inner bent ends of transversely-extending guide-clips 22,

which are fast to the stri-ps 12 and 13 of the frame 10 to thereby hold the said frame 19 in proper relation to the said Vframes 10 .and 11. To the central under edge portionsof the strips 18 a cross-brace 23 is firmly secured and is freely projected across the lower edges of the strips 15 of the frame 1l, thev said cross-brace having a central depending leg 24:, which is received in the recesses 8in the supporting-braces 7 when the table is completely closed, and movably held on the under side of one end of said cross-brace are 0ppositely-extending resilient ratchet-pawls 25 and 26 of elongated form and suitablyV bent to respectively engage the ratchets 14 and 17 `in the strips 13 and 15 of the frames 10 and l1 to retain the table in proper or desired eX- tended condition and resist accidental inward movement of the opposite parts.

Between the top sections 2 of the opposite rigid end frames 1 a series of extensible flexibly-connected transverse rails 27 are intermediately located and free to move lover the frames 10, 11, and 19, heretofore described. The opposite ends of all the rails 27 are reduced by side bevels 28, and connected to the outer terminals thereof are strips 29 of suitable liexible material, the said strips being also secured at the ends thereof to portions of the rigid end frames and primarily given sufficient slack between the several rails to permit the latter to be spaced apart a predetermined distance. When the rails are closed,

ing frame 19 and which has a ycross con-nect.

IOO

ct r i the strips 29 have portions thereof at regular intervals foldbetween them, and the length of the rails is such that the ends aline with the opposite sides of the top sections 2.

As clearly indicated by Fig. 2 and shown by Fig. 3, the rails 27 each have one or more openings 30 therethrough between the planes of the side strips of the several extensionframes, and engaging said openings are a plurality of holding-rods 3l, 32, 33, and 34, arranged in similarly-extending pairs of equal length. The outermost rods 31 have their outer extremities secured to the one end frame l, and the rods 32 have their like extremities fixed to the opposite end 'frame and located inside the plane ofthe said rods 3l, and both sets of the rods just set forth are stationary. The next pair of rods 33 are fixed to move with one of the rails 27, as at 35, and have their greater free portions extending toward the section 2, carried by the frame l, to which the rods 3l are attached, and the innermost pair of rods 34 are likewise fastened to one of the rails 27, as at 36, and have their greater free portions projecting reversely to the similar free portions of the rods 33. The outer pairs of rods 3l and 32 are of the same length and likewise the inner pairs of rods 33 and 34, the latter being shorter than the outer rods, and by employing the rods and arranging them as set forth the rails 27 are intermediately supported and prevented from sagging when opened out, as shown in Fig. 2, and thereby a stable support is provided suficient to resist weight along the length of the table between the iixed top sections 2. The

innermost pairs of rods automatically adjust themselves proportionately to the movement apart of the several rails with which they coact, and by disposing the rods in the manner stated their reinforcing effect is distributed equally and to-attain the best result. The rails 27 are also arranged vertically as regards their width to make them have a stronger service and less tendency to sag, and thereover is loosely mounted a cover 37, which is secured at one end to one of the top sections 2 and freely moves through a slot 38 in the opposite section 2 to wind on and unwind from a spring-roller 39, beneath the latter section, and having the opposite ends of its spindle seated in end bearings 40. The cover 37 will be of suitable material, such as felt or billiard-cloth, and thick enough to completely overcome any irregularity of the upper edges ofrails and also to readily wind and unwind to and from the roller 39. It will be seen that the cover is automatically taken up as the two end frames of the table are drawn together when reducing the length of the table, and, moreover, said cover will be held taut by the same means while projected over the rails. To hold the table fully collapsed and against outward movement, any suitable means may be employed.

From the foregoing structural description the operation will be readily understood, and

when the end frames l are drawn apart to lengthen the table the rails 27 gradually space themselves proportionate to the length of the table, and to maintain the adjustment desired the ratchet-pawls 25 and 26 are caused to engage the ratchet-teeth 14 and 17 of the frames 10 and ll. When the table is collapsed, the rails 27 are closely disposed and the inner ends of the half-rails 3 come together and the extension and sliding frames heretofore explained are also moved into close relation and confined between the said abutting half side rails. When in collapsed condition, the supporting-braces'7 have their recesses 8 over the central depending leg 24, and the latter provides a central support for the Vtable under all adjusted conditions.

It will be obviously apparent that changes in the form, size, proportions, and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the'spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention,what is claimed as new is- 1. In an extension-table, the combination of end frames, extension devices between the same, a series of transverse rails on the said extension devices, rods movably engaged by said rails, and a cover disposed over and adjustable proportionately to the movement of said rails.

2. I n an extension-table, the combination Voi end frames, one of said frames having an opening in the top portion thereof, a series of adjustable transversely-extending rails between and connected to the said endlframes, and a cover loosely mounted over the rails and automatically adj nstable proportionately to the movement of the rails, the said cover being secured at one end to one of said frames and freely movable through the opening in the other to the under side of the latter.

3. In an extension-table, the combination of end frames, a series of self-adjustable transverselyextending rails between and connected to said end frames, and a plurality of adjustable and fixed rods extending transversely through and on which said rails are movable.

4e. In an extension-table, the combination IOC of end frames, a series of selfadjustable transversely-extending rails between and connected to said end frames, and a plurality of rods extending transversely through and on which said rails are movable.

5. In an extension-table, the combination of end frames, a series of self-adjustable transversely-extending rails having their opposite ends connected by flexible strips, means extending longitudinally through the series of rails for reinforcing the same, extension and sliding frames supporting the rails, said extension-frames being provided with ratchet-teeth, a central cross-brace having a depending leg, and ratchet-pawls to engage the ratchet-teeth of the extensionframes.

6. In an extension-table, the combination the frames and on which the said rails are freely movable, and inner pairs of bracing devices connected to and movable through portions of the rails.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE A. MYERS.

Witnesses:

G. A. BILLINGER, H. E. BAILEs. 

